Backcountry Touring Pack List 2025

Packing for a ski tour can be overwhelming and often we forget an item that would have been nice to have or is a completely deal breaker (we've all forgot our skins, boots, or poles at some point). I've had friends forget their beacons and that limited the terrain we felt comfortable skiing in. A backcountry pack list goes a long way and it's something I try to check before every trip up into the mountains. This is a nice starting point to figure out your own kit so that you have an awesome tour and aren't held back by what you forgot at home.

• Skis / Skins / Poles
• Make sure your bindings are adjusted to your boots
• Put your skins on BEFORE you leave your house
• voile strap your poles to your skis and they make nice handles, plus you'll want a strap for ski carries.
• Pack
• I prefer a 35 to 45L pack to carry everything I need, no matter the conditions. Also consider an airbag for avalanche terrain. Currently using the Blue Ice 35L pack. 
• Avy Kit: Beacon, Shovel, Probe
• Most packs have a dedicated pocket for avy kits, make sure you've got your beacon on you (this is worth checking in the parking lot).
• Choice of shovel and probe can be daunting and I'll save this for another post.
• Sharps (Crampons / Ice Axe / Ski Crampons)
• I generally bring aluminum horizontal front point crampons (petzl leopards for light touring boots or XLC 390 for all mountain boots).
• Shell
• Puffy
• Gloves or Mittens - mittens for cold days.
• Hand Warmers - a no brainer here, handwarmers make all the difference for 
• Helmet
• Goggles / Sunglasses
• Phone
• Camera
• Water - I prefer to bring a soft flask with ~200 calories of sports drink.
• Food - Big fan of Poptarts and Snickers
• Multi Tool - Generally bring a spark R & D tool, Black Diamond binding buddy, leatherman.
• inReach Messenger / Mini - I've carried
• Rocky Talkies - much better than BCA, long range and play nice with most radio frequencies. Available in the shop.
• First Aid Kit: Kling Wrap, Space Bag, bandaids, gauze
• Headlamp - the Petzl Bindi is light and simple for alpine starts. 
• Skin Wax - more of a springtime item but we have plenty of springlike conditions during midwinter where clumping is an issue. Sluff wax is made locally and includes a nifty bag.
• Sunscreen - generally a spring item as wellbut good to have.
• Lip Balm - can double as sunscreen.
• More Safety gear (i.e. tarp, splints, cravats...)
• Ascent Plates! 
• Thermos
• Brim Hat
• FaceGlove

Other things to consider: 

Have a Plan A and a Plan B - for example, I may plan to go into avalanche terrain like Tuckerman Ravine and plan accordingly (bring safety gear) but end up just skiing the Sherb. 

Check weather (NOAA, OBS, MWAC)

Let someone know your plan!